NEWPORT County AFC were booed off as they dropped into the League Two relegation zone following a 2-1 home defeat to bottom club Cambridge United.

For once Warren Feeney’s men scored first but they were pegged back after the break and Luke Berry’s winner seven minutes from the end sealed a first win of the season for the visitors, sending Rodney Parade into meltdown.

It had all started so well for the Exiles who looked to be on their way to a first home win since March after an impressive first half showing.

Feeney made three changes from the defeat at Doncaster Rovers with Darren Jones, Jamie Turley and Joss Labadie all struggling with injuries.

In came Kyle Cameron, Paul Bignot and Rhys Healey and, after an encouraging opening salvo, it was the latter who broke the deadlock after just 10 minutes of his full debut.

The Cambridge defence failed to deal with a long throw and Reece Grego-Cox found Healey who headed in from close range.

It was only the second time in eight matches in League Two that the Exiles had scored the first goal and it was a much needed confidence boost.

Feeney’s men continued to attack and the impressive Healey turned provider on 19 minutes when his cross was headed over by Sean Rigg.

Jon Parkin also had a long range effort comfortably saved by Cambridge goalkeeper Will Norris but it wasn’t all one way traffic.

On his return to Rodney Parade former County winger Medy Elito was booed by the home fans and they delighted in jeering as he skewed a shot wide midway through the first half.

And it was very nearly all square when Adam McGurk’s free-kick smacked Joe Day’s crossbar and, fortunately for the Exiles, defender Mark Roberts skied the rebound.

The hosts ended the half strongly, however, and were so close to doubling their lead as Cameron’s header found Parkin on the line, he nodded it on but Norris somehow kept it out from point blank range.

And Norris denied Parkin again in time added on as he brilliantly held the veteran’s blasted effort.

Parkin also had the first effort of the second half but Norris watched his speculative volley from distance drift well wide.

Mark Randall showed great footwork inside the box to beat several defenders before being crowded out.

At the other end McGurk again went close with a snapshot just off target.

And the visitors were level just after the hour mark when boo boy Elito sent in a free-kick from the right and half-time substitute Uche Ikpeazu stooped to head in from five yards out.

County responded well with Randall trying his luck from distance and Grego-Cox seeing a header at the far post saved by Norris.

But Day also had to be alert and he got down well to keep out another fine McGurk effort before Cambridge captain Leon Legge headed over shortly afterwards.

Cameron had a free header from a Grego-Cox corner but could not find the target and then disaster struck.

It was another Elito free-kick from the right but the County defence had several chances to clear before Luke Berry hooked the ball in from six yards out.

There were cries of ‘Feeney out’ and boos as the final whistle sounded as County slipped into the bottom two, above Cambridge on goal difference alone.

County: Day; Bignot, Bennett, Cameron, Butler; Grego-Cox, Tozer, Randall (Sheehan, 80), Rigg; Parkin (Jackson, 70), Healey

Subs not used: Bittner, Jones, Compton, Myrie-Williams, Green

Booked: Tozer

Referee: Nicholas Kinseley

Attendance: 2,205

Argus star man: Healey